5 Must Visit Places in Mexico

1. Isla Holbox

Isla Holbox is a small laid-back island, located just off the north coast of Yucatán Peninsula. When you arrive you will immediately feel the island vibes – locals selling tropical fruits on the streets, the unpaved sandy streets, and all the colourful houses. You will also notice that there are no cars on the island, only golf carts, which really adds to the whole “island vibe”. The town itself is small and as such is easily accessible by foot. Holbox definitely still has this “untouched” local vibe, which can be hard to find with all-inclusive resorts popping up all over Mexico’s Caribbean coast. It’s the perfect place for relaxing and to experience island life.

The miles long white sand beach and the turquoise blue water makes for a perfect place to relax, enjoy a cold drink or two, or even do some snorkeling. The sunsets on Holbox are not to be missed, I recommend watching it from the beach. After the sun goes down is when you can observe the bioluminescence, a magic phenomenon that occurs when waters of the seashore gets illuminated by certain micro-organism that emit their own blue light. You will find plenty of travel agencies around the island offering these types of tours. It’s worth noting that this is dependent on weather conditions and might not occur every day, the months from July to January is when you’ll have the best chance .

Internet connection, both wifi and 3G/4G, on the island is very unstable and definitely not something you can rely on. So it’s not the place to go if you need to finish a project or do anything that requires a stable internet connection. During my four days there, the internet was gone for about 24 hours straight.

How long to stay in Isla Holbox:

I would recommend staying for at least three nights. That will allow you enough time to explore the island, spend time on the beach and do some activities. If you want to spend a few days on the beach, I’d suggest to stay for additional two to three nights.

Where to stay in Isla Holbox:

Despite being a small island, Holbox has lots of options when it comes to accommodation.

If you are looking for a quiet hostel with chilled vibes, yoga classes and good atmosphere, I would recommend this one. It’s located just two blocks from the beach and just a minute or two away from the centre of town.

For those that are looking for more of a party hostel and wanna do some day drinking while hanging out in the pool, this one might be just what you are looking for.

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How to get to Isla Holbox:

The best/cheapest way to get there is to catch an ADO bus from wherever you are, to the ferry port in Chiquila, and from there take a ferry to Holbox. The bus ticket costs around 15-20 USD, depending on where you’re traveling from. There are two ferry companies operating between Chiquila and Holbox, they offer the same service for the same price, about 11 USD. The only difference between the two is that one runs on the hour while the other runs on the half hour. The journey time on the ferry is just under 30 minutes. There is no need to buy the ferry tickets in advance, there are ticket offices at the port.

2. Tulum

Tulum is located on Mexico’s Caribbean coast and is home to white sand beaches, Mayan ruins and a large number of stunning cenotes. Tulum consists of three areas – Tulum town, Tulum beach and the Tulum ruins, that each has its own charm. I loved the fact that you can bike pretty much anywhere, and wherever you go you are surrounded by palm trees. You have lots of cenotes, the beach and the ruins within 30-40 minute bike ride from Tulum town.

Tulum beach, sometimes referred to as the hotel zone, is a long strip of pristine beach just about 20-30 minute bike ride away from Tulum town. Along the beach runs an extremely picturesque street that has a very bohemian vibe to it, lots of palm trees and is home to a number of trendy restaurants. This is also where you will find the famous “follow your dreams” sign, as well as other similar signs. Renting a bike and riding along this road is something I would highly recommend.

Tulum town offers a more local experience than the beach zone. This where you’ll find authentic Mexican restaurants and plenty of taco stands. You can also find some trendy smoothie bowl places, my favourite ones are Matcha Mama and Del Cielo. In Tulum town you will get a lot more for your money than you would in the beach area. Tulum town also makes a great base for visiting the cenotes, many are just a short bike ride away from the town.

The Tulum ruins are located about 4km from Tulum town. While these are certainly not the largest Mayan ruins in Mexico, their location on the edge of a cliff overlooking the white sand beach and turquoise blue water, makes it a pretty spectacular sight. The ruins are accessible by bike and by car – the entrance fee is approximately 4 USD.

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How long to stay in Tulum

To say you need a certain number of days in Tulum is difficult, since there is a lot to see in and around Tulum. It depends on what you really want to do and see – but I would recommend at least 4 days. That will allow you enough time to visit the ruins, have some beach time, eating plenty of street food and visit some of the many cenotes in the area. With that being said, you can easily spend a couple of weeks in Tulum.

Where to stay in Tulum

If you want to have a lot of beach time, are not on a budget and want more of a luxury experience- I would recommend staying at Tulum beach. There are plenty of trendy hotels in that area, here you can check out hotels in Tulum.

For backpackers, those on a budget and for those looking for a more authentic experience – I would recommend staying in Tulum town. You will be a bit further from the beach, but closer to many of the cenotes.
I stayed here during my two weeks in Tulum and it’s honestly one of the best hostels I’ve stayed at. It has friendly and fun atmosphere, offer lots of activities and they also have bikes that you can use free of charge. It does not have a swimming pool though. If you’d rater stay at a hostel with a pool – I can recommend Maka and Mimosa.

How to get to Tulum

To get to Tulum you can rent a car or take a bus. The nearest airport is in Cancún, from there it’s just about a two hour car ride to Tulum. You can catch a bus to Tulum from pretty much anywhere in Mexico, prices and timetables can be found here.

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3. Valladolid

Colour lovers will feel like they’re dreaming when wandering the streets of Valladolid, a charming colonial town on the Yucatán peninsula. With its pastel coloured colonial buildings and old historic churches, Valladolid is probably what you would picture when thinking of the typical Mexican town. What I love about Valladolid is that it’s really authentic and gives you a taste of real Mexico, making it one of the 5 must visit places in Mexico. Contrary to Cancún and Playa del Carmen, instead of being crowded with people on spring break, in Valladolid you will encounter locals just living their every day life. The best way to explore Valladolid would be to simply wander around aimlessly with a camera in hand. A part from stunning architecture, there is even a cenote within the city, called Cenote Zaci, located just a couple of blocks away from the centre.

With plenty of cenotes and places such as the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, one of the new seven wonders of the world, at its doorstep – you should certainly allow for some time to visit the area around Valladolid. Cenote Ik Kil is located just a couple of minutes from Chichen Itza, making it an ideal place to cool down after exploring the Mayan ruins.

How long to stay in Valladolid

Valladolid can make for a great day trip if you’re short on time. You can spend a couple of hours wandering through the centre and then visit Chichen Itza. Such day trips are available from any of the major cities, including Tulum, Cancún and Playa del Carmen.
However, if you’re not in a rush, I would recommend staying at least 2 nights . Depending on how many of the cenotes you want to visit, you might want to add in a couple more nights.

Where to stay in Valladolid

With Valladolid being a pretty small town, just about anywhere is a good place to stay. There are plenty of accommodation options that range from high end resorts to Colonial style boutique hotels and hostels.

For those on a budget and looking for a nice, affordable hostel – this one would be a perfect option. A Colonial style family run hostel, located right in the downtown area. Offering plenty of hammocks, air conditioned rooms and even has breakfast included.

If you want a little more luxury but don’t want to spend the kind of money you’d be paying for a high end resort, Casa Daniels is worth checking out! For just about 35 USD you can stay in a private room and cool down in a pool in a tropical garden after a day of exploring.

In Valladolid you will also find variety of high end hotels, most of them being Colonial style boutique hotels. Accommodation in Valladolid is pretty affordable, with luxurious hotels ranging from 50USD per night, here you can have a look at hotels in Valladolid. With that being said, if you are planning to treat yourself to a fancy hotel once in your trip, which I often do, this would be the ideal place for it.

How to get to Valladolid

Just as other cities on the Yucatán peninsula, Valladolid is well connected by the ADO busses. From the bus station it will only take you a couple of minutes to walk to the centre. If you are planning to rent a car, Valladolid is just about a 2 hour drive from Cancún and 1,5 hours from Tulum.

4. Bacalar

Close to the Belize borders you will find Bacalar, a quiet lakeside village that sits on the shore of Lagoon Bacalar, which is the main attraction of Bacalar. The lagoon is the reason most people decide to visit Bacalar, and was certainly the reason for my trip there :)) It’s a must visit for anyone that loves turquoise blue water. The lagoon is also known as Lagoon of the Seven Colours due to the many shades of blue the water will have throughout the day.

The best way to discover Bacalar is to take a boat tour. Most of them last for about 2-3 hours and will take you to the best parts of the lake, including Canal de Los Pirates, which is considered one of the most beautiful parts of the lake. The mud there is also believed to be full of minerals, so you can do whatever you want with that :)) Bacalar is also the perfect place for all sorts of water activities – paddle boarding, kayaking, scuba diving, you name it. There are of course a few cenotes in the area – the most famous one being Cenote Azul. in For those looking for a bit of culture, a visit to Fort San Felipe is a must.

A little tip before visiting Bacalar – bring enough cash (pesos, not USD) to last for the time you plan to stay there. Bacalar is not very developed, there are ATM’s but these can be working one day and not working the next, so you never know. Some places do take cards, but you absolutely can’t count on it.

Check out this post for where to eat in Bacalar!

How Long to Stay in Bacalar

I would recommend spending at least two whole days in Bacalar. About half a day to do a boat tour, then you’ll have a couple of hours to walk through the town and enjoy some of the delicious local food. Then you will have day to relax at the lagoon, go kayaking or do any of the other water activities. With that being said – I ended up staying there for almost two weeks 🙂

Where to stay in Bacalar

Bacalar offers plenty of options for all preferences and budgets.

For backpackers looking for a very social atmosphere, The Yak Lake House would be the perfect option. Located next to the lake, offering gorgeous views and lots of events.

If you’re looking for a bit more relaxed place, this brand new very stylish hostel is probably what you are looking for. A cozy little place with a gorgeous pool and super pretty spacious rooms.

How to get to Bacalar

Getting to Bacalar is relatively easy. Like the rest of the Yucatán Peninsula, it’s well connected by ADO buses. From Tulum the bus ride is just under 3 hours, while from Cancún it take a bit over 5 hours. If you are renting a car, Bacalar is approximately 4 hours drive from Cancún and 2,5 hours from Tulum.

5. Puerto Escondido

Located on Mexico’s southern Pacific coast, Puerto Escondido is a relaxed beach town. Unlike places like Cancún and Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Escondido, it’s definitely not famous for all-inclusive luxury resorts. Instead it’s known for it’s surf scene and beautiful beaches. In Puerto Escondido you can spend your days catching waves on a surfboard, relaxing at the beach, enjoying the sunset and admiring turtles. After spending a day in the sun, I recommend taking a trip to Laguna de Manialtepec, where you can observe the bioluminescence. A magic phenomenon that occurs when waters of the seashore gets illuminated by certain micro-organism that emit their own blue light. You will find plenty of travel agencies around town offering these types of tours.

One thing you need to know before visiting Puerto Escondido is that cash is king. ATM’s tend to run out of cash frequently, so make sure to have plenty of cash before getting there. Some businesses accept cards, but don’t count on it.

How long to stay in Puerto Escondido

It’s not unlikely that you’ll never want to leave Puerto Escondido. With that being said, you should be able to get the hang of it in 4-5 days. That will leave you with enough time to explore a few beaches, try some local food, walk along the Adoquín and experience the nightlife.

Where to stay in Puerto Escondido

Due to its popularity among young travellers and backpackers, Puerto Escondido has an abundance of great hostels.For those planning to surf, you’ll probably want to stay close to Zicatela, which is where you’ll find the best waves. Close by La Punta de Zicatela is popular among backpackers, that’s where Villa Bonobo a boutique hostel, is located. Featuring a big rooftop with plenty of space to work out or do some yoga. Oh, and they have free coffee all day!

Closer to the centre of Puerto Escondido you have Puerto Dreams, a hostel that has everything you could need, including a co-working space. It’s surrounded with plenty of nice restaurants (Cocofam is a must try!) and about 20 minute walk from the beach.

Here you can check out hotels in Puerto Escondido. I recommend using the filters to filter out places that have a rating below 8, as those usually turn out to be a disappointment.

How to get to Puerto Escondido

The quickest way to get to Puerto Escondido is by flight. With direct flights only from Mexico City, you will need to transfer in Mexico city if you’re traveling from elsewhere in Mexico. You can also catch an ADO bus, but depending on where you’re coming from, it can take a long time. If you plan to rent a car, you can of course drive there as well.

I hope this post has inspired you to visit Mexico! If you want to get notified when I publish new posts, just click the red bell in the lower right corner, or follow me on Instagram where I usually announce new blog posts :)))